Note: Found this article very interesting ...

It didn't mention how many women had reconstruction after mastectomy
...

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Young Breast Cancer Survivors Often Suffer Emotional Problems

Awareness Can Help Women, Doctors Cope

Article date: 2003/12/23  
 

Young women who are treated for breast cancer often suffer emotional
disruption that persists for years after their treatment, according to
researchers at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA).

Women younger than 50 may be especially hard-hit by feelings of
vulnerability and a fear of cancer recurrence, the researchers
reported in the Journal of Clinical Oncology (Vol. 21, No. 22:
4184-4193). About one-fourth of breast cancer cases in the United
States occur in women in this age group.

"A lot of oncologists are not necessarily well-equipped to address
these issues," said lead researcher Patricia Ganz, MD, of UCLA's
Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center. "Whoever's taking care of these
survivors needs to know about these problems."

Ganz and her colleagues examined 577 women who had been diagnosed with
breast cancer an average of 6 years before the study. Their ages at
diagnosis ranged from 25 to 51. About half the women had been treated
by mastectomy, while the others had lumpectomy followed by radiation
therapy. About three-fourths of the women had received some extra
treatment after their breast cancer surgery, such as tamoxifen,
chemotherapy, or both.

The women answered an extensive 45-page questionnaire about their
physical and emotional functioning, as well as their health.

Women Had Both Physical and Emotional Problems
The women were generally in good health several years after their
diagnosis, although almost all of them were unhappy with their body.
Many had experienced weight gain and about half had problems with
breast sensitivity. Many women also complained of general aching,
joint pains, and muscle stiffness, as well as forgetfulness and
trouble concentrating.

Most of the women were near or past menopause and were having hot
flashes and night sweats. Because of their cancer diagnosis, these
women were not candidates for hormonal replacement therapy to treat
these symptoms.

The youngest women (those who had been between the ages of 25 and 34
at diagnosis) had fewer physical complaints, but more trouble with
emotional function.

That finding isn't particularly surprising, Ganz said. Many of these
young women may be focused on a first job or getting married and
starting a family, and a serious illness can hamper those plans.

"They're at a time in their lives when cancer isn't on their list of
expectations," Ganz noted. Young women who had become menopausal (and
thus unable to have children) as a result of their treatment were the
most likely to be depressed and have a negative attitude toward life.

Older women, who have had more life experiences, may be better
equipped to cope with a cancer diagnosis and the effects of treatment,
said Ganz.

Support Is Important
Women who were in a relationship, those with higher educational
levels, and African-Americans reported fewer problems than other women
in the study. It may be that these women have stronger support
networks or other life experiences that help them cope with the cancer
diagnosis, Ganz said. In an earlier study, Ganz and her group found
that African-American women find more meaning in life after having
breast cancer than white women do.

Young women who are having troubles can take steps to help themselves,
Ganz noted. There are medical remedies for many of the late effects of
cancer treatment, so letting their doctor know about symptoms is
important.

Even knowing they aren't alone in having physical or emotional side
effects can be a help, Ganz said. Many survivors focus so intensely on
just getting through their disease that they don't realize there could
be side effects down the line. Research like this lets these women
know they're not crazy, Ganz said. "What they're experiencing is what
a lot of other women in their age group experience."

Although the findings may seem negative, Ganz said the overall message
for young women is positive. Breast cancer survivors show a great deal
of resiliency.

"Overall, women are doing very well, but we'd always like to do
better," she said.

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www.BreastImplantAwareness.org